Mother of Kristi Kafcaloudis mourns loss of 'beautiful soul' who died in 300-metre cliff fall in Norway

The mother of a Melbourne exchange student who died after falling 300 metres from a cliff in Norway has mourned the loss of "a beautiful soul".

Key points:

Kristi Kafcaloudis fell from Norway's Trolltunga on Saturday

Hike takes eight to 10 hours; no mobile phone coverage

Woman was on exchange at the University of Bergen

Family "mortified" at loss of "talented" student

Kristi Kafcaloudis, 24, an arts and science student at Monash University and originally from Yandina in Queensland, was on exchange at the University of Bergen.

She was walking in the mountains of Hordaland County with a group of 30 people to Trolltunga, which means "Troll's Tongue" in English, which is described by the country's official tourism information site as "one of the most spectacular scenic cliffs in Norway".

We are mortified by the loss of such a talented and lovely young woman with her whole life before her.

Milli Kafcaloudis, mother

In a statement, Ms Kafcaloudis's mother, Milli Kafcaloudis, mourned the loss of her family's "much-loved" daughter.

"We are only consoled by the fact that Kristi was doing what she loved with her friends and living a life full of adventure and dreams," she said in a statement.

"But we are mortified by the loss of such a talented and lovely young woman with her whole life before her."

Ms Kafcaloudis expressed concern for her daughter's friends who were with her at the time who "no doubt share our sense of disbelief at such a sudden and traumatic loss".

She thanked the Red Cross rescue teams and police for their efforts to retrieve her daughter from difficult terrain.

"She was quite simply exceptional to us and to her many friends and will remain in our hearts and minds to encourage us to make the best of our lives and reach out to others," she said.

The hike to and from the cliff takes about eight to 10 hours and goes through high mountains.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was providing consular assistance to her family.

Monash University extended its "deepest sympathies" to the Kafcaloudis family.

"The Monash University community is deeply saddened at this news and Monash is liaising with the family, and officials here in Australia and in Norway, to provide support," the university said in a statement.

"Our deepest sympathies are extended to her family, her colleagues and friends during this tragic time."

The rector at the University of Bergen, Dag Rune Olsen, said in a statement the university was saddened by the accident.

"It is with great sadness that we learn that one of our international students has died," Mr Olsen said.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the student.

"Rector and university management were informed by the police of the tragic accident at Trolltunga in Odda, western Norway, on Sunday morning September 6, that Australian exchange student Kristi Kafcaloudis had died after a fall."